Dining out in Paris should be fun, relaxing andnever, never stressful. Whether a 3-star restaurant or a neighborhood bistro there should always be a warm welcome and an excellent rapport qualité-prix-a positive relationship between price and quality. Bon appétit!

La Maison Blanche

New Chef Fabrice Giraud has cooked in some of the finest kitchens in France, among them the Chantecler du Negresco Nice, La Grande Cascade and next to Alain Ducasse in Monaco.We chose the tasting menu to experience the full scope of his talents.

It was M’s birthday and amazingly she had never been to La Maison Blanche. The conspiracy was in place and Albert Nahmias made the booking with Bruno (Franck) who transmitted a loud and clear message to the maitre d’Alain-Philippe. Suffice it to say it would be a memorable evening.

New Chef Fabrice Giraud has cooked in some of the finest kitchens in France, among them the Chantecler du Negresco Nice, La Grande Cascade and next to Alain Ducasse in Monaco.We chose the tasting menu to experience the full scope of his talents.

Too chilly for the terrace but our view of the Left Bank was still sublime. Coupes from Duval-Leroy started us in festive fashion.

We began with tourteau en cannelloni aux herbes du potager-crab cannelloni with a purée of avocado and baby green beans.

This was followed by Foie gras de canard Gelée d’asperges vertes, truffle chips

On this August day that couldn’t decide if it was summer or fall I found two colleagues-Albert Nahmias, the Pasha of Paris food writers and his pal Jean-Louis Galesne who has been following international gastronomy since the 60s.

Waved to their table we ordered coupes of Carole Duval-Leroy’s exceptional Tradition to accompany small, moist squares of olive bread.

Albert chose a creamy burrata with trio of red, green and yellow tomatoes. Jean-Louis and I were delighted by our carpaccio of house smoked tuna with ventrèche cream, piquant capers and crunchy vegetables.

We continued with the champagne as the guys opted for an organic chicken breast with “mac and cheese” and Parisian mushroom duxelles. I savored ,my fricassée of monkfish in a lobster bisque.

All we needed was coffee to end this casual and affable lunch par hasard.

A retractable awning and overhead heaters makes this a romantic spot in any weather.

It was my daughter’s birthday and she wanted to go someplace ‘elegant,’ not one of my bistros du coin and since the rain had stopped and the sky resembled blue, I called Stephanie at la Maison Blanche and she seated us with a fab view of the Eiffel Tower.

We started with my favorite apéritif, a coupe of champagne rosé and enjoyed the view.The chef was featuring a menu from the Savoie and having recently visited Megève in the Haut-Savoie I was sold.

Situated atop the Theatre de Champs-Elysées on the chic Avenue Montaigne Maison Blanche offers one of the most spectacular dining views in Paris. On this overcast, grey Paris day the sun was barely peeking through as I gazed up and across the Seine at the spire of the American Church, the dome of Les Invalides and the ugly tower looming over Montparnasse.

The theatre was completed in 1913 in time to scandalize Paris with the world premiere production of Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring performed by Diaghalev’s BALLETS RUSSES featuring Nijinsky.

I awaited the delayed arrival of my colleague and Paris culinary “rabbi,” Albert NAHMIAS with a crisp flute of Deutz rosé accompanied by amuse-geules.

From the daily formule I started with a carpaccio of daurademarinated in tequila and Albert opted for Gambas with Paimpol white beans, chrorizo and chayote.

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Bistros

No one should have a bad meal in Paris! Whether a 2-star restaurant or a local bistro there should always be an excellent rapport qualité prix– relationship between price and quality. At my favorites you will be treated as a regular and have a satisfying experience. Just tell them “Terrance sent you.”

Events

Regularly scheduled literary salons with guest writers, private dinners, restaurant openings, wine tastings,market visits and cooking classes attract a discerning, sophisticated crowd who love to have a good time while they learn. Our cadre of Paris–based colleagues happily share their passion for this magical city.